The Giving Season: Support Children in Nature!
“When people ask my little one, ‘Tell me about your school,’ her eyes light up, a smile stretches across her face, and she responds: ‘ My classroom is a redwood tree, we get to be in nature all day, and we do fun things like carve tools, build shelter, and listen to birdsongs.’
From my perspective, I love that my daughter spends her days in a safe environment where her senses are alive, her innate connection to the outside world is revered, and her curiosities are supported. ”
For so many centuries, the exchange of gifts has held us together…
― Barry López, About This Life
Greetings!
When Outside Now naturalist mentors and a group of young ones enter a day in nature, we anticipate experiencing both the comfort of the familiar and the exhilaration of the unexpected. We practice our fox walk to move on the land with little disturbance, owl eyes to see clearly in many directions, and deer ears to hear even the faintest message carried on the wind. As we move across the landscape, tracking the story of a night visitor, or hold as still as a field mouse in our daily sit spots; an awareness of our place in the magnificence of nature takes root.
From that place of deep connection, innate curiosity and well-placed questions lead everyone toward exploration and mastery of Earth Arts and Skills. Together we harvest plants for food and medicine, stack rock cairns to orient and beautify our path, carve spoons and form clay into useful objects, interpret the language of the birds, gather willow for baskets and acorns to grind…We design shelters when the winter rains come and make fire using fire kits we craft. We celebrate when someone gets his first coal and sing that first fire into full flame. Through engaging in these satisfying practices, much is revealed to each of us about the essential attributes of a fully alive human—qualities like joy, vitality, helpfulness, strength, perseverance, and bravery.
In these challenging but powerful times, we look to the natural world to show us the necessity of diversity, of patience, of interdependence, and of down time. Throughout the seasons she models the inevitability of change and resilience in the face of adversity, as well as hope…In a compassionate world, there are blooming wildflowers after long winters. Soon enough, a small viral organism named Corona will be coaxed away from people and back to a wilder existence. Meanwhile, at Outside Now we will continue to grow up the next generation of caregivers of the land and all of its inhabitants. In these unprecedented times, we are grateful for your financial contributions. They matter. They allow us to keep showing up at the trailhead each morning to guide children into the safety and adventure of the natural world.
Much appreciation all around,
Susan Pendergast, Director
for everyone at Outside Now
Contributions of any amount are especially appreciated during the global pandemic. During these challenging times, we are working every day to gather the practical resources we need to continue to be of service to families seeking safe and meaningful in-person learning experiences for their children, offer ongoing employment for our amazing team of 12 naturalist mentors and apprentices, and grow up the next generation of caregivers of the planet.
Even during these unprecedented times,
Outside Now mentors are guiding annual nature connection adventures for 100 children, youth, and teens (ages 3-19 years).
Our mentors will bring an additional 150+ children out into the natural world during week-long camps this summer.
Here are some helpful trail markers for those able to contribute this season:
$10 replenishes our sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and lip balm stash— essential gear!
$15 times twelve supporters buys a new set of quality fixed blade knives for carving practice!
$25 keeps our library of field guides and nature resources stocked and growing.
$60 pays for a day in nature for a Coyote Pup or Nature Explorer.
$100 times three generous folks funds the purchase of a new camping pop-up for base camp set-ups and children’s events.
$125 times three more generous folks pays for a week of Outside Now summer camp.
$250 provides another mentor with required Wilderness First Aid training.
$300 pays for three new Whisperlite backpacking stoves and cookware sets!
$500 supports a weeklong backpack adventure for an Outside Now teen.
$1750 provides a child with a weekly nature connection experience for a full program year.
$2000 supports ongoing training for a Coyote Pups mentor in the Forest Kindergarten certification program.
In times past, donations of $5000 or more brought us opportunities to add program days, invite new mentors to join the pack, and sponsor special weekend events with visiting elders and artisans. During the time of COVID-19, these generous contributions help stabilize our organization as we accommodate smaller group sizes, provide supplies needed to implement wellness practices, and live with the uncertainty of whether or not we will be out on the land as planned or staying home to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Your gift in support of children in nature is received with gratitude this giving season. Thank You!
Make a Tax Deductible Donation
If you would like to make a donation as a gift in someone’s name, please add the recipient’s name and address in the “Special Instructions” section in PAYPAL. We will send them a card and acknowledgment of the gift you made in their honor.
Thank you!
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